No profiteering off of Superstorm Sandy

During WWII, President Harry Truman made his name by fighting companies that were ripping off the American people and hurting the war effort with profiteering. 

Today, AARP wants to avoid companies “profiteering” off of Superstorm Sandy. Whether they are sketchy, unlicensed contractors or insurance companies hassling customers to avoid paying claims, or even utility companies, consumers deserve to be defended.

Companies such as JCP&L and PSE&G should not be allowed to gain excess profits from work done after Superstorm Sandy. These companies have a statutory duty to provide safe, adequate, and reliable service as a condition of their licensed monopolies. They should not be allowed to demand payment ‘up front’ with a special surcharge or fee tacked onto ratepayers bills.

And consumers should not pay for storm recover costs that could have been avoided with appropriate planning, management, and on-going maintenance and system improvements.